Optimisation of microwave-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from broccoli and its antioxidant activity

The effect of independent variables of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), extraction temperature (5090 degrees C), microwave power (100200 W), solvent concentration (methanol/water, 5090%, v/v) and extraction time (127 min) on total phenolics and flavonoids contents as well as antioxidant activity of broccoli extracts was investigated. Response surface methodology was successfully applied for optimisation and the high correlation of the mathematical model indicated that a quadratic polynomial model could be used for optimisation of investigated responses. Considering the maximum amount of extracted total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity expressed as ORAC value, the optimal conditions for all three investigated responses were obtained (temperature -71.11 degrees C; microwave power -167.03 W; solvent concentration -75.95%; and extraction time 16.34 min), which is in agreement with optimal conditions obtained for each investigated responses. The development of simultaneously MAE methods for total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of broccoli extracts might simplify assessment of broccoli as valuables source of antioxidants.